By R.L. Bynum
Drake Powell made his NBA debut in his home state with his parents watching from the stands in a game that didn’t go that well for his Brooklyn Nets, but featured a strong performance from teammate Day’Ron Sharpe.
Sharpe came off the bench to score 14 points, including a step-back 3-pointer, with four rebounds, two blocks and a steal, in Brooklyn’s 136–177 loss in Charlotte in the opener for both teams. Sharpe tied for the third-most points among the Nets.
Sharpe scored 12 of his points in the first half on 5 of 6 shooting in nine minutes, tying for the third-most points in a half in his career.
Powell played just over seven minutes off the bench and got his first NBA basket early in the fourth quarter.
He pulled down one of his two rebounds and went the length of the court, putting on a euro-step to move past Drew Peterson for a layup. That was his only basket.
Having the biggest night was Walker Kessler in the Utah Jazz’s 129–108 romp over the Los Angeles Clippers in their home opener.
In only 28½ minutes, Kessler made all seven field goal attempts, including two 3-pointers. He finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, four assists, four blocks and two steals and was +13 for the game.
In his Milwaukee Bucks debut, Cole Anthony played nearly 12 minutes off the bench in their 133–120 home victory over Washington. He contributed nine points, one 3-pointer, five assists, two rebounds and a block and was +8.
The Bucks’ Pete Nance wasn’t active for the game.
In a game dominated by teammate Victor Wembanyama’s 40-point effort in the San Antonio Spurs’ 125–92 win at Dallas, Harrison Barnes began his 14th NBA season with seven points, one 3-pointer, two rebounds and an assist and was +27.
Harrison Ingram played four minutes off the bench for San Antonio, collecting three points on a 3-pointer and pulling down a rebound.
Portland rookie guard Caleb Love wasn’t active for the Blazers’ 117–114 opening-game loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Chicago Bulls opened with a 115–111 victory over Detroit, but Coby White missed the game. He is expected to miss the first two weeks of the season while he recovers from a strained calf.
Two Tar Heels open their seasons Thursday night, and you can watch both as part of an ESPN doubleheader:
— Tony Bradley and the Indiana Pacers host Oklahoma City at 7:30 in a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals.
— Cameron Johnson plays his first game with the Denver Nuggets as they visit Golden State at 10 p.m.
Cole Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 25 | 6–2, 185 | 6th season | $2.67 million salary | UNC 2019–20 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string point guard behind Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins
Season statistics — 30 games, 6.8 points, 44.6 FG%, 32.2 3P%, 59.1 FT%, 2.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Team record: 18–25, 11th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: Thunder 122, Bucks 102 — 24:15, 17 points, 7–9 FG, 3–4 3FG, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 turnovers, 4 fouls, -7
Next game — 9:30 Friday vs. Denver, Prime Video
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 33 | 6–7, 225 | 14th season | $19 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Keldon Johnson
Season statistics — 44 games, 10..9 points, 43.5 FG%, 36.4 3P%, 87.0 FT%, 3.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists
Team record: 30–14, 2nd in Western Conference
Tuesday: (at) Rockets 111, Spurs 105— Started; 24:37, 6 points, 2–6 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, -2
Next game — 9 p.m. Thursday at Utah
Tony Bradley, Indiana Pacers center
Age 27 | 6–10, 248 | seventh pro season | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Roster situation — Third-string center behind Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson
Season statistics — 37 games, 4.1 points, 55.7 FG%, 0–1 3FG, 74.4 FT%, 2.9 rebounds
Team record: 8–34, 15th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Celtics 119, Pacers 104— 6:18, 2 points, 1–5 FG, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, -2
Next game — 8 p.m. Friday at Oklahoma City
Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 29 | 6–8, 210 | 7th season | $22.54 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of Tim Hardaway Jr.
Season statistics — 28 games, 11.7 points, 46.1 FG%, 42.9 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 29–15, 3rd in Western Conference
Out for at least a month with a bone bruise and hyperextended right knee
Caleb Love, Portland Trail Blazers guard
Age 24 | 6–3, 212 | Rookie season | Two-way contract | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup point guard behind Deni Avdija/fourth-string 2 guard
Season statistics — 36 games, 11.1 points, 39.1 FG%, 32.9 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists
Team record: 22–22, 9th in Western Conference
Tuesday: (at) Warriors 119, Blazers 97 — Started (Avdija was out with lower back soreness; Love’s 1st career start); 33:55, 17 points, 5–16 FG, 2–9 3FG, 5–8 FT, 3 rebounds, career-high 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 2 fouls, -14
Thursday: Blazers 117, Hawks 101 — Didn’t start; 25:39, 12 points, 5–12 FG, 2–6 3FG, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, +6
Saturday: Blazers 132, Lakers 116 — Didn’t start; 31:22, 22 points, 8–15 FG, 4–8 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 7 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnover, +23
Monday: Blazers 117, (at) Kings 110 — Didn’t start; 21:41, 6 points, 3–10 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +14
Next game — 10 p.m. Thursday vs. Miami
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 20 | 6–5, 195 | Rookie season | 4-year NBA rookie contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard
Season statistics — 31 games, 6.4 points, 44.7 FG%, 30.8 3FG%, 88.9 FT%, 1.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 of a steal
Team record: 12–30, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Knicks 120, Nets 86 — Started; 25:13, 6 points, 2–9 FG, 0–4 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, -26
Next game — 7:30 Friday vs. Boston
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 24 | 6–9, 265 | 5th season | $6.25 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup center behind Nic Claxton
Season statistics — 40 games, 7.9 points, 60.7 FG%, 20.0 3P%, 67.3 FT%, 6.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record: 12–30, 13th in Eastern Conference
Wednesday: (at) Knicks 120, Nets 86 — Started; 23:51, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, team-low -36
Next game — 7:30 Friday vs. Boston
Coby White, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 25 | 6–4, 195 | 7th season | $12.88 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting shooting guard ahead of Ayo Dosunmu
Season statistics — 22 games, 18.5 points, 45.9 FG%, 35.5 3PFG, 78.9 FT%, 3.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists
Team record: 21–22, 9th in Eastern Conference
Tuesday: Bulls 138, Clippers 110 — Started; 30:37, 27 points, 9–16 FG, 6–10 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, +15
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday at Minnesota
Out for season
Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (torn labrum in left shoulder); season statistics: 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.8 blocks
Leaky Black, Capital City Go-Go (Wizards) guard
Age 26 | 6–6, 209 | 3rd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 24 games, 10.8 points, 45.7 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 68.0 FT%, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.2 steals
Wednesday: Long Island Nets 104, Capital City 101 — Started; 41 minutes, 20 points, 7–10 FG, 6–7 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnovers, 1 block, +2
Thursday: Raptors 905 115, Capital City 104 — Started; 35 minutes, 17 points, 7–12 FG, 3–3 3FG, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 fouls, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, +/- of 0
Saturday: Capital City 101, Raptors 905 95 — Started; 40 minutes, 2 points, 1–8 FG, 0–3 3FG, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 fouls, 4 steals, +13
Monday: Capital City 113, (at) Texas Legends 102 — Started; 15 points, 6–10 FG, 3–6 3FG, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 2 blocks, +13
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday at Austin Spurs, ESPN+
Garrison Brooks, Birmingham Squadron (Pelicans) center
Age 26 | 6–9, 230 | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2017–21 (4 seasons)
Season statistics — 21 games, 5.4 points, 44.9 FG%, 36.7 3P%, 62.5 FT%, 5.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.3 of a block
Tuesday: Raptors 905 99, Birmingham 98 — 2 points, 1–3 FG, 0–1 3FG, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 foul, 1 steal, 1 turnover, -6
Thursday: Motor City Cruise 109, Birmingham 94 — 20 minutes, 5 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, 1 turnovers, 1 block, -6
Saturday: Motor City Cruise 127, Birmingham 103 — inactive for game
Monday: Greensboro Swarm 116, Birmingham 114 — Didn’t start; 12 points, 2–5 FG, 2–3 3FG, 3–3 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 foul, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, =18
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Cleveland Charge, ESPN+
RJ Davis, South Bay Lakers guard
Age 23 | 6–0, 180 | rookie season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Season statistics — 23 games, 18.1 points, 42.5 FG%, 38.1 3P%, 88.9 FT%, 4.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: (at) Rio Grande Valley Vipers 126, South Bay 119 — Started; 32 minutes, 24 points, 7–15 FG, 4–7 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 fouls, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, -14
Next game — 10 p.m. Thursday vs. Mexico City Capitanes, ESPN+
Harrison Ingram, Austin Spurs forward
Age 23 | 6–5, 230 | 2nd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Season NBA statistics — 3 games, 11 minutes, 5 points, 2–3 FG, 1–1 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, +13
Season G League statistics — 16 games, 15.8 points, 50.5 FG%, 32.8 3P%, 62.5 FT%, 11.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 0.9 of a steal
Tuesday: Austin 127, (at) Oklahoma City Blue 112 — Started; 34 minutes, 13 points, 6–16 FG, 1–5 3FG, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 1 block +4
Next game — 8 p.m. Thursday vs. Capital City Go-Go
Pete Nance, Wisconsin Herd center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | Two-way contract | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Season G League statistics — 12 games, 19.0 points, 53.7 FG%, 40.3 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks
Season NBA statistics — 12 games, 2.5 points, 57.1 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 1.0 rebound, 0.3 of an assist
Wednesday in NBA with Bucks: Thunder 122, Bucks 102 — 29:42, 11 points, 4–7 FG, 3–5 3FG, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, +3
Next game — 12:30 Thursday vs Noblesville Boom
Cormac Ryan, Wisconsin Herd (Bucks) guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | Exhibit 10 contract | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Season statistics — 18 games, 19.3 points, 47.8 FG%, 38.3 3P%, 91.3 FT%, 3.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 steals
Wednesday: Maine Celtics 114, Wisconsin 106 — Started; 40 minutes, 25 points, 10–22 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, -1
Friday: Maine Celtics 114, Wisconsin 106 — Started; 35 minutes, 14 points, 3–12 FG, 1–7 3FG, 3–3 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 foul, 1 turnover, +4
Saturday: Westchester Knicks 104, Wisconsin 94 — Started; 22 minutes, 10 points, 4–8 FG, 2–3 3FG, 1 foul, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, -18
Monday: Wisconsin 114, Westchester Knicks 103— Started; 25 minutes, 25 points, 7–15 FG, 3–7 3FG, 4–4 FT, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 fouls, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +22
Next game — 12:30 Thursday vs Noblesville Boom
Photo via @BrooklynNets
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